Fitness Gear The 12 Best Deodorants for Women for Odor Control Secret's Antiperspirant Deodorant provides coverage for up to 48 hours By Rozalynn S. Frazier Rozalynn S. Frazier Rozalynn is an award-winning, multimedia journalist who covers all things fitness and wellness. She is a NASM-certified personal trainer and behavior change specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 01, 2022 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by John Honerkamp Reviewed by John Honerkamp LinkedIn Twitter John Honerkamp is an RRCA and USATF certified running coach, celebrity marathon pacer, and recognized leader in the New York City running community. Learn about our Review Board Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a fact checker, editor, and writer who has expertise in psychology, health and lifestyle content. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Verywell / Chloe Jeong Sweating is an essential process that helps you regulate your body temperature, but it can also leave your underarms wet and odor-filled. Thankfully, deodorant and antiperspirant can help. Reviewed & Approved Formulated with aluminum and essential oils, Secret's Antiperspirant Deodorant provides coverage for up to 48 hours. Dove Even Tone's Antiperspirant also provides up to 48-hour coverage and is affordable. "The odor [from sweating] results from a breakdown of sweat with normal skin bacteria," says Yolanda C. Holmes, MD, FAAD, a Washington D.C.-based dermatologist in private practice. She explains that deodorants can prevent this body odor. When looking for a deodorant, consider the type of application. Some roll on while others come in a spray form. Additionally, if you have sensitive skin, look for a fragrance-free formula. We researched dozens of inversion tables and evaluated them for ingredients, price, and application type. Here are the best deodorants for women on the market. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant with Pure Essential Oils at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Dove Even Tone Antiperspirant at Amazon Jump to Review Best Aluminum-Free: Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant at Amazon Jump to Review Best Extra-Strength: Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant and Deodorant at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Excessive Sweating: Vanicream Antiperspirant Deodorant at Amazon Jump to Review Best Natural: Corpus Naturals Deodorant at Goop.com Jump to Review Best Gel: Almay Sensitive skin Clear Gel Deodorant at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Running: Degree Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray at Amazon Jump to Review Best Spray: Aesop Deodorant Spray at Amazon Jump to Review Best Antiperspirant: Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream at Kiehls.com Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Fit? Best Overall: Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant with Pure Essential Oils 4.8 Courtesy of Target View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros No parabens or dyes Lasts 48 hours Cons Formulated with aluminum Essential oils may be irritating Who else recommends it? Glamour and Cosmopolitan also picked the Secret Antiperspirant Deodorant with Pure Essential Oils. What do buyers say? 81% of 6,700+ Amazon reviewers rated it 4 stars or above. Infused with essential oils and aluminum, this antiperspirant provides coverage for up to 48 hours, which is why we chose it as our top pick. One smooth swipe reveals a refreshing blend of lavender, eucalyptus, and ginger—a combination that masks unpleasant odors. Plus, it's paraben- and dye-free. Size: 2.6 ounces | Application: Invisible solid | Type: Antiperspirant and deodorant Best Budget: Dove Even Tone Antiperspirant Courtesy of Dove View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Lasts 48 hours Evens out skin tone Cons Fragrance may be irritating Formulated with aluminum If you want an antiperspirant and deodorant that goes above and beyond, this option from Dove is crafted to provide you with up to 48 hours of protection. Available in stick form, it leaves behind a light, floral fragrance. It's also infused with vitamin B3 in the form of niacinamide—evening out discolored underarm skin while moisturizing and hydrating. Size: 2.6 ounces | Application: Solid | Type: Antiperspirant and deodorant Best Aluminum-Free: Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant Courtesy of Walmart. View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Nativecos.com Pros No aluminum, parabens, or talc Formulated with shea butter Cons Baking soda may be irritating Coconut oil can be a comedogenic This natural deodorant is free of talc, aluminum, and parabens—instead, using a combination of baking soda and magnesium hydroxide to kick body odor to the curb. It also includes tapioca starch to ensure your underarms stay dry throughout the day. Jam-packed with antioxidant-rich coconut oil and shea butter, Native Deodorant will moisturize while providing a subtle scent of vanilla and coconut. Size: 2.6 ounces | Application: Solid | Type: Deodorant The 13 Best Natural Deodorants of 2022 Best Extra-Strength: Secret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant and Deodorant Courtesy of Secret View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond Pros 48-hour protection Waterproof Senses amount of sweat Cons Formulated with aluminum This powerful deodorant stick offers maximum protection against wetness and unpleasant odors for up to 48 hours. Acting as a smart antiperspirant, it senses your sweat levels throughout the day and turns up the level of protection depending on your needs. All the while, this waterproof option conditions and moisturizes underarm skin. Size: 2.6 ounces | Application: Soft solid stick | Type: Antiperspirant and deodorant Best for Excessive Sweating: Vanicream Antiperspirant Deodorant 4.8 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros 24-hour protection Dermatologist-tested Cons Formulated with aluminum Dermatologist-tested, this deodorant antiperspirant is free from common chemical irritants, including dyes, fragrances, parabens, and more. Since it's considered clinical strength, it promises to keep you feeling dry for 24 hours while leaving your underarms smooth. Although it contains potentially drying aluminum, the brand says it's safe for sensitive skin. Size: 2.3 ounces | Application: Balm stick | Type: Antiperspirant and deodorant Best Natural: Corpus Naturals Deodorant View On Goop.com View On Nordstrom View On Violet Grey Pros Vegan Free of aluminum, parabens, and talc Multiple fragrance options Cons Expensive Mixing together notes of bergamot, pink lemon, orange blossom, and cardamom, this stick doubles as a sweet fragrance in addition to deodorant. It's formulated with plant-based ingredients like Saccharomyces ferment filtrate (from yeast) and tapioca starch, shielding against sweat while caring for your underarms. Packaged in a recyclable tube, this option glides on smoothly and won't leave your underarms feeling sticky. Size: 2.6 ounces | Application: Balm stick | Type: Deodorant The 8 Best Deodorants for Men of 2022 Best Gel: Almay Sensitive skin Clear Gel Deodorant Courtesy of Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros Hypoallergenic Free of fragrances and alcohol Quick-drying Cons Formulated with aluminum This option from Almay is free of harsh fragrances and alcohols (ingredients that those with sensitive skin may have to avoid). It's also hypoallergenic, so you won't have to worry about redness or breakouts. The quick-drying deodorant rolls on clear, and the formula is designed to keep sweat away all day. Size: 2.3 ounces | Application: Gel | Type: Antiperspirant and deodorant Best for Running: Degree Antiperspirant Deodorant Dry Spray Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Pros 48-hour protection Alcohol-free Quick-drying spray Cons Formulated with aluminum If you're a runner, tracking distance, pace, time, and splits is already enough to worry about. With this deodorant-antiperspirant combination, you won't have to worry about underarm protection as well. Made with the brand's MOTIONSENSE Technology, the formula releases more sweat-blocking power the more you move. This spray-on pick also goes on clear so it won't leave behind any residue. Size: 3.8 ounces | Application: Spray | Type: Antiperspirant and deodorant Best Spray: Aesop Deodorant Spray Courtesy of Nordstrom View On Amazon View On Spacenk.com Pros Free of aluminum Gender-neutral fragrance Cons Might need to reapply frequently Expensive Packed with 11 essential oils to nix unpleasant underarm odor—including tea tree oil, which keeps bacteria from sticking around, it leaves behind a light, earthy smell courtesy of vetiver. Since it's not an antiperspirant, it won't stop you from sweating, so you may need to reapply throughout the day. Size: 1.7 ounces | Application: Spray | Type: Deodorant The Best Shoe Deodorizers, According to an Expert Best Antiperspirant: Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirant & Deodorant Cream Courtesy of Kiehl’s View On Kiehls.com View On Nordstrom Pros 24-hour protection Safe for sensitive skin Fragrance-free Cons Expensive Formulated with aluminum Doubling as a moisturizer, this deodorant can be lathered on to condition and smooth your underarms while eliminating odor. It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave behind residue, and it soaks up moisture thanks to a combination of witch hazel and aluminum salt. For a full 24 hours, Kiehl's Efficient Antiperspirant and Deodorant Cream will give you full antibacterial benefits. Size: 2.5 ounces | Application: Cream | Type: Antiperspirant and deodorant Best for Sensitive Skin: Nubian Heritage 24 Hour Natural Deodorant African Black Soap Amazon View On Amazon View On IHerb Pros Aluminum- and baking soda- free Certified Organic and Fair Trade ingredients Made with soothing aloe Cons May need to be reapplied Formulated with organic shea butter, aloe vera, and vitamin E, this two-pack of natural deodorant nourishes your underarms without leaving behind unwanted white streaks. It also fights off odor and sweat with a mixture of cornstarch and Saccharomyces for 24-hour, fresh-scented protection. Size: 2.25 ounces | Application: Solid | Type: Deodorant Best Smelling: LAVANILA The Healthy Deodorant Amazon View On Amazon View On Pharmaca.com Pros Free of propylene, aluminum, and parabens Baking soda-free Non-staining formula Cons May need to be reapplied frequently A trio of ingredients makes this all-natural, aluminum-free solid deodorant a decent investment—cornstarch, soothing aloe vera, and antibacterial lemon and tea tree oils. Though natural, it's crafted to keep your underarms completely dry while providing you with a clean, crisp aroma that lasts for hours. Size: 2 ounces | Application: Stick | Type: Deodorant Final Verdict Secret's Antiperspirant Deodorant (view at Amazon) will stand up to unpleasant odors while blocking out sweat. But since it's formulated with essential oils, it feels luxurious from the first swipe. If you're on the lookout for an antiperspirant that will protect you through your toughest workouts, the Vanicream Anti-Perspirant (view at Amazon) is waterproof, dermatologist-tested, and will keep your underarms dry for a solid 24 hours. It's also great for those with sensitive skin since it's free from dyes, fragrances, parabens, and more. What to Look for in a Deodorant for Women Ingredients For a true deodorant that blocks odor, look for ingredients such as kaolin, saccharomyces ferment, and baking soda, which can mask smells. An antiperspirant requires aluminum, which prevents your body from releasing sweat in the first place. While there is no known connection between cancer and aluminum-based deodorants or antiperspirants, some people still have concerns. If that's the case, ones with formulas that include cornstarch powder can be another option. Dr. Holmes suggests avoiding triclosan (an endocrine disruptor), parabens (which can mimic estrogen), and propylene glycol (which can cause liver and kidney damage). "All of these ingredients can also cause allergic reactions,” she says. Application The application type is typically a personal preference. There are spray-on options, roll-on formulas, gels, and creams. Find one that's convenient for you and your lifestyle. Type Heavy sweaters should look to antiperspirants that squelch sweat and subsequently prevent body odor. If you find a deodorant you like instead, make sure that yours has ingredients that help defend against wetness (like baking soda, aluminum, tapioca powder, and cornstarch) and ones that mask the smell of body odor (like essential oil). Frequently Asked Questions Are deodorants with aluminum bad for you? If a deodorant contains aluminum, it then becomes an antiperspirant. In other words, the goal of aluminum is to block sweat glands, says Dr. Holmes.“There are rumors that aluminum in deodorants and antiperspirants can cause Alzheimer's disease or breast cancer,” says Dr. Holmes. “Scientific literature states there is no link between aluminum chloride and the development of Alzheimer's.” And, although some scientists have suggested otherwise, there is currently no scientific evidence that supports a link between aluminum in deodorants and breast cancer. Do deodorants expire? Like any product, deodorants and antiperspirants do have a shelf life—typically lasting between one and three years. Be sure to check your specific product, as the expiration date is usually located on the product label. How do you get deodorant stains out of clothes? There is nothing worse than finding out your chosen deodorant or antiperspirant has left permanent pit stains on your favorite white dress or shirt. "The yellowish discoloration of white clothing can be caused by the aluminum in deodorants of antiperspirants when mixed with body sweat,” says Dr. Holmes.She recommends using an enzyme-based detergent to launder the affected items and remove the discoloration. She also says that opting for a clear gel deodorant or antiperspirant will also help eliminate staining. Why Trust Verywell Fit? Rozalynn S. Frazier is an award-winning, multimedia journalist with more than 20 years of experience reporting on health and fitness. She is also a NASM-certified personal trainer and an avid exerciser, who routinely puts wellness tools and fitness gear through its paces to help assess which products are worthy of praise. She has created content for SELF, Men’s Health, Real Simple, Health, Essence, Cosmopolitan, Livestrong.com, among others. 12 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. 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